Mount Defiance 2017-06-05

This was Blue's last big hike.

10.1 miles and 4,334 feet of elevation.

Great day for a hike with 'see forever' views at the top.  Lost the trail in the snow at around 4,700 feet of elevation and just headed for the ridge.  The snow was compacted spring snow that was hard to get a footing with microspikes, crampons would have been the best.  Once we made it to the ridge the trail was visible for a short distance.  Rather than trying to guess were the trail is, we just kept going up the ridge.  This wasn't too bad until close to the top were it was difficult to kick steps into the snow and I had to grip my trekking  pole at the tip and use it as an ice axe. 

 

Google Maps link

Sly enjoying the waters of Mason Creek close to the start.

The "underpass" to get through an area with several downed trees.

Mason Lake is still partially covered with ice.

Lost the trail at around 4,700 ft.

Climbing up the ridge

At the top

Great views

 

Bandera Mountain with Mason Lake at the base.  The white stop before Mason Lake is Little Mason Lake.  Lake Kulla Kulla is on the left.

Enjoying a water break on the way down the old trail.

 Blue trying to pose on the Mason Creek bridge.

Almost back to the car.

Dirty Harry's Connector 2014-06-11

5.35 miles and 1,557 feet of elevation gain.

On the way to Putrid Pete's Peak (P3) you pass by two unmarked trails and I have always wondered were they went.  When I saw a trip report showing these trails I decided it would make nice afternoon hike.  I'm calling this Dirty Harry's Connector because I believe the upper most trail will take you to Dirty Harry's Balcony.  I turned around too early, I think I was only about a quarter of mile from the balcony.  

We started at Exit 42 on I-90 and headed up the boot path next to Mason Creek.  When we hit the road and walked to the Ira Springs parking area, I was surprised at the number of cars for a weekday. 

Google Maps link  Click Terrain for a better view.

The root covered old log across the main portion of the creek.

Fun with sticks

The first Y in the trail, we took a right and continued up hill.  On our return we'll take the left trail back to the car.

The second Y is the start of the connector trail from the P3 trail which continues up the hill on the right.   

Pictures from a rock outcropping along the trail.  McClellan Butte in the background.  This spot and a small talus field, a little farther down the trail, are the only points with any view.  

Need someplace to store your fireworks?

 Blue thinks he looks and smells so good.  A quick trip back to the creek got most of it out.

 A towel around his neck until we can soap up back at home.

Mason Creek 2014-01-24

4.45 miles and 2,225 feet of elevation gain.

A late in day quick hike to check out the trail up to Mason Lake from the freeway.  The trail starts on the North side of I-90 Exit 42 at the end of the road (same exit as McClellan Butte).  In the last few years the area has started collecting a fair amount of trash and toilet paper. 

Go past the concert block with the "No Target Shooting" sign.  The old road splits just a few feet after the block, to the right is the shooting area.  Several years ago, the shooting area had an old burned out Caravan that was riddled with bullet holes.  The position of the Caravan would have met that people were shooting in the direction of the trail with only some bushes and a few trees in the 50 yards to the trail. 

 Follow the road to the left.  The trail starts on the right just before the Mason Creek.  One large tree provides a bridge over the largest portion of the creek.  The trail crosses over another smaller section and then parallels the creek on the West side.

 The trail crosses the road to the Mason Lake (Ira Springs) trail head about a quarter mile before the trail head.  Cross the road and continue following the stream.  Just before hitting the Mason Lake trail, at about 2,400 feet of elevation, the terrain forces you bare to the left and start navigating through under brush.  Follow the main trail and cross Mason Creek.  500 feet after crossing the creek, look for the old Mason Lake trail and continue up the hill.  After several switchbacks the trail splits, take the trail on the left.    

 Icy snow started at the base of the talus field.  We were running out time and I didn't was to put on microspikes, so we turned around.

The trash filled "No Target Shooting" shooting area.

The Mason Creek crossing.  They removed the old logging road culvert a few years ago after a large portion of the road was washed out.

A December 2010 picture of the culvert after the washout.